Depression Is the Leading Cause of Poor Health, World Health Organization Finds

There are a lot of things that go into taking care of yourself. That includes eating foods that nourish your body, exercising so you feel strong and confident, and going to the doctor when you feel sick — and health is more than just physical. Mental health is an important part of your overall well-being, but it's unfortunately a part that's also often overlooked. We know that it's imperative to take care of your mental well-being in order to stay healthy, but new findings from the World Health Organization (WHO) say depression is now the leading cause of ill health across the world.

According to WHO, depression is linked to other disorders and diseases, including substance use disorder, diabetes, and heart disease. Between 2005 and 2015, WHO found the number of people living with depression increased 18%, jumping to 300 million people, making it the biggest cause of illness and disability across the globe. Yet, with so many people living with depression, we know only a fraction will get treatment for their mental health issues. That's why WHO is encouraging everyone to talk about mental health this World Health Day (April 7) — to eliminate stigma and increase access to mental health treatment so more people can get the help they deserve. This year's Health Day motto is "Depression: let's talk," and it's because officials say lack of treatment availability and stigma are preventing people from getting that help.

“The continuing stigma associated with mental illness was the reason why we decided to name our campaign Depression: let’s talk,” Dr. Shekhar Saxena, director of WHO's Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, said in a statement. “For someone living with depression, talking to a person they trust is often the first step towards treatment and recovery.”

Depression, or any other mental illness, is nothing to be ashamed of, yet, as Dr. Saxena points out, it's something we still don't talk much about. That's because there's stigma surrounding the issue, making it seem like something to hide or avoid mentioning in public. But since WHO defines health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity," it's clear that we should be just as concerned about taking care of our mental health as we are about going to the doctor if we have the flu. Finding that depression is now the leading cause of ill health may help break down some of the stigma surrounding mental health because it shows that it's not just something you can ignore, or get rid of. Depression has physical effects (and can even cause physical pain) alongside the mental ones, which shows that it's not something you can just write off as regular old "sadness."

It's also "a wake-up call" for countries to reevaluate how they approach mental health services, another WHO doctor said, because no matter how much we talk about it and eliminate stigma, it's impossible to access treatment where it doesn't exist. According to WHO, many countries have little to no mental health treatment available, but even in high-income countries only about half of the people who need treatment get it. And if people needing help isn't enough to encourage countries to invest more in their residents' mental health, it makes sense dollar wise. For every $1 invested in increasing mental health treatment, like therapy or medication, there's a return of $4 in better health and ability to work.

These numbers prove how vital it is to ensure everyone has better access to mental health treatment, and they also send another powerful message: you are not alone. If you have depression, anxiety, or any other mental health issue, it can feel isolating mostly because we don't talk about these things in public. But if you're feeling alone, remind yourself that there are 300 million other people across the whole world who understand how you're feeling. That might help you speak up about your mental health, and help you get the treatment you need.

Advertisement

If you or someone you know needs help, visit our suicide prevention resources page. If you need support right now, call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.